Sarvani Readymix makes concrete moves in coastal Andhra

Sarvani Readymix Concrete Industry, the only firm in the state that employs the latest German technology in manufacturing readymix concrete, located at Kolanukonda village, 20 km from Guntur, is making impressive gains in Krishna and Guntur districts within eight months after it began operations.

Speaking to Business Standard, Sarvani managing director P Gopal Reddy said, "The unit, with a production capacity of 30 cubic metres per day, is supplying readymix concrete to customers in Guntur, Vijayawada and Tenali and in towns situated within a radius of 50 km from the factory. The company began its operations in December 2003 with the technology of the pioneer in the field, Schwing Stetter, a German firm, and went into marketing in April this year. The firm's April-October business touched Rs 1.09 crore."

"More than the business," he said, "I have been able to take the concept of readymix concrete to a number of builders and educational institutions. There would be only 10 per cent cost difference between making manual concrete and that of readymix concrete. A strong network of traditional 'maistries' is stalling Sarvani's entry. However, educated people have understood the many benefits that they would get from readymix concrete."

Reddy said, "Some Hyderabad companies are using German technology. However, their technology is outdated by at least five years. We use a computerised automatic batching plant, which is the latest addition to the technology. Ours is the only modern plant in coastal Andhra."

On making readymix concrete, he said, "Cement, sand, chips and pure water are first taken in separate special chambers and their quality is tested thoroughly. Then they are taken in the batching plant. About 10,000 mix designs and formulae are stored in the computer controlled by a microprocessor. The mix design selected by the customer will be fed into concrete making. Laser sensors, which pass through the raw solid materials, will fix their moisture percentage. According to specifications, pure water would be released into the plant. In exactly required proportions, cement, sand, chips and water blend in the mixture chamber. The readymix concrete thus made will be sent into a transit plant and once again the quality parameters would be strictly checked before supplying the same to the parties. The company's trucks with revolving chambers containing readymix concrete transport it to the construction site. An engineer supervises pumping of the concrete through special pipes to the required spot in the building."

"The manual concrete," he said, "does not satisfy required construction standards as there will be no scope for using pure water and clean solid ingredients. The builder saves a lot of time, as he will be spared from the trouble of buying the raw materials separately, storing them, engaging manual labour, and organising other things. A phone call is enough to get readymix concrete from Sarvani in the shortest time possible."

Some of the firm's prominent customers in the area include GVR Estates, Kandhari Hotel, Siddhartha Engineering College, Navayuga Engineering College, Venkateswara Constructions, Rao Fin Constructions, Chalasani Constructions, TM Associates, and Continental Coffee Industries, he added.